Car-coupling



(No Mode-1;)

L; P. WHITING.

. GAR GOUBLING. No'. 276,205.. Patented Ap1324, 1883.

N. PETERS. Phmumgmpmr, wnshi nnnnnn l a UNITED STATES PATENT UEEICE. 'i

LEWIS P. WHITING, OF CLEBURNE, TEXAS.

cAu-oouPLlNe.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,205, dated April 24, 1883.

Application filed February 23, 1883. (No model.)

To all. whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS P. WHITING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleburne, in the county'ot' Johnson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Car- Coupling, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to car-couplings of that class which effect an automatic coupling by means of a gravity-hook; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction and operation of the same, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective ViewY of a draw-head embodying my improvements. Fig 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalview ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the plane of the fulcrum of the gravity-hook.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the draw-head, which is provided with the usual mouth, B, and link-chamber G, and is secured in positionon the carin any suitable manner, preferably as herein shown, so as to be capable of longitudinal movement against the spring or cushion D.

In the bottom of the draw-head is provided a slot, E, into which opens au auxiliary slot, F, that extends downwardly through the draw-head in rear of the link recess or chamber C.

In the slot F is fulcrumed by means of a cross-pin, G, a gravity-hook, H, that has its head I working up through the slot E, and its stem J projecting through the-slot F and out at the top of the draw-head. The head1 is formed with an upwardly-projecting hook, K, having a curved front-edge, L, to facilitate engagement ot' the link automatically, and it is preferably provided with a handle or loop, M, on its under edge, N, by which it can he operated by hand whenever desired.

The stem J of the gravity-hookjs provided with a shoulder; O, on its front edge, P, just above where it passes through the slot F, which shoulder is arranged to engage the top of the draw-head and limit downward movement of the hook. The rear top end, Q, of the stem J l is weighted, as at R, so that the hook K normally projects up into thelink-chamber of the draw-head.

When the link of the adjoining car enters the draw-head it will strike the projecting hook K on' its curved front edge, L, and force the same downto admit ofthe passage of the link to the rear of the link chamber or recess, andthe hook-lever will then by its own gravity return to its projecting position, so as to retain the link and effect the coupling.

The uncoupling is effected by operating the stem ofthe gravity-hook tojcause itsfjhook K to he lowered from the link-chamber, when the link can be withdrawn. This operation of the said hook-lever can be effected by levers S S, pivotally connected to the said stem and extending to the side otl the car, or by suitable connecting-chains. j

The link T to he used in connection with this improved coupling is mainly ot' the ordinary construction, hut is provided with a middle enlargement, U U, at both sides, by which it is supported in a horizontal position when coupling, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

A recess, V, may be provided in the top edge of the head I, just in rear of the hook K, to receive the link and retain it in position, and a transverse strip, W, may be secured on the front of the car, to engage the gravityhook when the draw head is forced back against the spring D and assist in returning the hook to its normal position.

I claim as my inventionl. As an improvement in caicouplings, the combination, with the draw-head having a slot, E, in its bottom, and an auxiliary slot, F, extending through the draw-head and opening into the said slot E, ot a gravity-hook fulcrumed in the slot F, and havinga hook-head normally projecting up through the slot E, as

set forth.

l 2. As an improvement in car-couplings, the combination, with the draw headhaving the slot E in the bottom ot its link recess or chamber, and provided with au auxiliary slot extending downwardly through the drawhead and opening into the slot E, of the gravityhook having its head l normally projecting up through the slot Rand formed with au up- Wardly-projeetiug hook, K, having a curved front edge, and having its stem J, that is ful- 5 crumed in the auxiliary slot F, provided with the shoulder O in its front edge just above Whereit passes through the slot F, as setforlnhi In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence 'of two witnesses.

LEWIS PECK WH ITING.

Witnesses: l

J oHN D. MITCHELL, WILLIAM F. GEORGE. 

